ll introduced suffrage
measures. The Progressive and Democratic parties had planks in their
platforms recommending the submission of the constitutional amendment
to the voters and Governor Walsh was in favor of it. The suffragists
were unable to get a plank in the Republican platform. For reasons of
political expediency, Mrs. Crowley turned over the conduct of the
hearing to John Weaver Sherman, representing the State Federation of
Labor. There were speeches in favor by Guy A. Ham, chairman of the
Resolutions Committee of the State Republican convention; Henry
Sterling, representing the American Federation of Labor; Mrs. William
Lloyd Garrison, Jr., Mrs. Pinkham and Mrs. Katherine Lent Stevenson,
president of the W. C. T. U. Letters were read from ex-Governor Bates
and Sherman K. Whipple, Republican and Democratic leaders. The Women's
Political Equality Union had speakers from the Textile Workers' Union
of Boston and the unions of the telephone operators, candy-makers and
street-car men. The debate in the House was successfully led by
Sanford Bates, chairman of the Committee on Constitutional Amendments.
The resolution to submit the amendment passed by 168 to 39 in the
House and 34 to 2 in the Senate, commanding the required two-thirds
for the first time, but it had to pass a succeeding Legislature.

In 1915 the legislative work was less onerous and the amendment passed
the House by 193 to 33, the Senate by 33 to 3 and was signed by
Governor Walsh, who presented the pen to Mrs. Crowley. His signature
was not necessary but he wished to show his approval.

Under the Corrupt Practices Act a political committee, so-called, of
at least five men, had to be formed to handle the funds of any group
that spent more than $20 to carry or defeat a constitutional
amendment. A bill was passed which allowed women to form the committee
in the case of the equal suffrage amendment and the following were
named: Miss Blackwell, chairman; Mrs. Blanche Ames, treasurer; Mrs.
Crowley, Mrs. Leonard and Miss Foley. The strenuous campaign and the
defeat of the amendment after a struggle of more than half a century
to have it submitted, have been described.

In 1916 no suffrage bill of any kind was presented to the Legislature
by the State Association but it turned its attention to congressional
work. This was skilfully conducted by Mrs. Grace A. Johnson, chairman;
members of Congress were interviewed, letters and telegrams sent to
the Congressi